Instagram Actions on Camera Roll Photos

Is it a sign of the times when your kid is teaching you how to do things? I believe it is. Sun Kissed Boy #1 shared this little nugget of information with me this weekend. How to use Instagram's actions with photos already in my iPhone's Camera Roll. I'll pass along his instructions. The items highlighted in yellow will help you follow along. 

-In Instagram, go to the camera screen by tapping the little camera icon in the middle. Here you have the option to either take a picture or pull from your "archives". To do that, tap the icon that looks like two squares that overlap one another on the left hand-side. 

-That will bring up the Photos App from your iPhone and you should see your albums. Tap on desired album (in my case "Camera Roll").

-Select your picture by tapping on it.

-A screen will show up on Instagram where you can "Move & Crop" your photo. Once you have the image how you want it, tap "Choose".

-The next screen you will see is one where you can pick the filter of your choice. Tap the green check mark when you're done.

-In the following screen, you have the option to add captions or share the photo. Tap your preferences, then tap "Done".

-And that's all! You should see your photo on your "Feed" screen.

I've played around with images that I have taken or that I have received via text or e-mail. Basically, you can do this with any image you can save on your Camera Roll.

It just dawned on me that if my 9-year old knows this, perhaps you do too. Hm, sometimes, my flightiness amazes even me! Well, here's to hoping that you didn't know and I've helped you. Cheers!

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Blogging Frustrations and a Winner

One of the the reason I started blogging was because I wanted to stay computer savvy. I wanted to learn new things and be challenged. However, lately, being "challenged" has been replaced with being "frustrated". 

I have designed this here blog all by myself. I want to make some design changes buuuuut what is suppose to look somewhat like this...

...for some reason, all of the sudden looks like this!

I thought the easiest thing to do would be to start fresh with a new template. The problem? A lot of the things I've customized have been using tutorials I've found right here in blog land but, of course, I didn't save any of them. Yes, I could do another search and find them but I've used several tutorials to learn how to do one thing. It takes me a little bit for things to sink in sometimes so I have to read and reread one or more tutorials on one specific topic to catch on.

So here I sit, frustrated. Basically starting from scratch. Grrrrrr.

But let's move on to something else more pleasant. Thank you, ladies, for entering the giveaway. Let's have Random.org pick a winner for the Baby & Mommy gifts. Drum roll, please! The winner is...

#13 Monica! 

Monica, I don't have your contact information. Please e-mail me right away to claim your goodies.

That's all I got for today. I'll try not to throw the laptop on the floor and stomp on it. Enjoy the weekend everyone! 

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Dollar Store Trip Surprise

This weekend Sun Kissed Boy #1 & 2 earned some money by washing our neighbor's car. SKB #1 chose to save it, while SKB #2 couldn't wait to spend it! He knew exactly what he wanted. A checkers game. 

After searching online and not being able to find one for less than what he had to spend, I decided to take him to the Dollar Store. This was his first trip to the store. Getting the concept that everything in the store was a dollar was a little hard for him to grasp. Our conversation went something like this:

SKB #2: Mommy, wait. EVERYTHING in this store is 1 dollar?

Me: Yes.

SKB #2: [Picks up a random item.] This is a dollar?

Me: Yes.

SKB #2: [Picks up another random item.] THIS is a dollar?

Me: Yep. [I point to several random items.] This is a dollar, this is a dollar, and this is a dollar. This here is a dollar too! 

SKB #2: Um, mommy, I can by something for the brothers AND you!

Me: You sure can, baby.

Sun Kissed Boy #3 got a hot pink monkey he now call Funbrain that he loves to play with AND wear.

I got a whole package of bendy straws for guess how much? A DOLLAH!

For Sun Kissed Boy #1, he picked trading cards.

But here's the twist, that night at dinner when we were discussing our favorite part of the day, I expected the Dollar Store trip to be his favorite. But instead, this is what he said:

SKB #2: My favorite part of the day was meeting that little girl at Ms. Adeline's office.

He was referring to a five-minute conversation I had at the PTA's office where the PTA president had her 5-year-old daughter with her and they played for the short time that Ms. Adeline and I spoke.

Me: Really? Not the Dollar Store trip?

SKB #2: That was only my third favorite.

Me: So what was your second?

SKB #2: Having enough dollars to buy something for the brothers.

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Chips & Dip

Put out a bowl of chips and some dip to go with it and I am sure not to move from where you set it. Some people have a sweet tooth, mine is salty. I found a recipe for Chili's copycat skillet queso dip over at Six Sisters' Stuff that I couldn't wait to make for me us. 

This is a great recipe to make with the kids since they can throw in all the ingredients in a pan, then the grown-ups can put it on the stove to cook up.

Keep in mind that the recipe calls for cayenne pepper. If your little ones don't like spicy food, you might put less or omit it all together. But we can handle hot around here!

While it's not the exact taste as Chili's, it's pretty darn delicious! Give it a try, you might just love it!

Today's the last day to enter the Mommy & Baby Giveaway. Be sure to throw your name in the hat!

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Waking Up

Now that the two youngest Sun Kissed Boys are getting a little older (4 & 5) our morning routine is starting to change on the weekends. No longer do they come running in our bedroom at the crack of dawn asking for milk. If I make them a sippy cup of chocolate milk the night before, they will go to the fridge and get it themselves. Big brother, who's nine, loves to help and entertain them, buying Sun Kissed Husband and me at least another half hour of snooze time.

Even though I'll be half asleep, I'll still overhear them play and giggle. When they're bellies will start to rumble, they will come running into our room. I never know what I will see when I open my eyes which is why I am always just a stretch away from a camera. I want to remember these moments forever!

Of course they're still little enough to want to sneak in mommy's & daddy's bed in the middle of the night.

How can I not wake up with a smile on my face?! 

Who/what puts a smile on your face in the mornings?

If you already haven't, there's still time to enter the Mommy & Baby Giveaway!

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DOs & DON'Ts When Appearing on TV

After the segment about the baby shower gift suggestions aired on Friday, I knew I had to put together a post to help future television guests in the hopes that things go smoother for you. Here's a list of DOs & DON'Ts when getting ready to be on live TV. 

DO allow yourself double the time you normally take to get ready just in case there are, um, snags along the way.

DON'T assume because you buy new, it'll look new. I thought it'd be fun to wear dark, argyle stockings so I didn't bother shaving my legs. The problem came in when I saw the hole as I was taking it out of the package.

DON'T plan on wearing anything you haven't worn for a year without inspecting it before hand.

DON'T panic at the thought of stepping outside looking like this.

Source 

DO try to find ANY stockings in the bottom of your drawer, even if you haven't worn them in 10 years.

DON'T freak out when those said stockings have holes on the toes. Clear nail polish stops runs. Dab some on, let dry and move on.

DO try to not be self-conscious when, after seeing you in stockings, your 9-year old asks, "What wrong with your legs?" 

DO ALWAYS shave your legs! No matter what you're thinking of wearing!

DO pump up your makeup. If your everyday makeup routine consists of light and natural, then bump it up to dark and gothic. (Trust me, if you're a light makeup wearer, whatever you might perceive as looking gothic on you, probably won't be.) TV lights tend to wash you out so what might look like "too much" makeup for a day time setting will probably be "just right" for television. Last thing you need is looking like you've got no lashes. As you can see, I should have applied more mascara on my 9 lashes.

DON'T cry when the mannequin you're taking to display the diaper bag/baby carrier breaks as you're loading her in the car. You will smear your overly-done makeup or, in my case, my already under-done 9 eyelashes. 

DO smile at the camera. DON'T look like you just saw a ghost. DO express your thoughts with your mouth, not your body. DON'T mouth the teleprompter. DO loose some flipping weight!

DON'T be overly critical when watching yourself on the playback. 

Three main recommendations:
DO PLAN AHEAD.
DO ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B.
DO REMEMBER TO BREATH THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

Thank you Shiri Spear for putting me a little more at ease and not smacking me across the face when my nerves were on edge.

Here's the 4-minute segment of the show. Remember to enter the giveaway for a chance to win all of the items I speak about in the segment!

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A HUGE Giveaway for Baby & Mommy

Today I will be making an appearance at Live Miami, a local NBC show. I will be talking about the blog as well as introducing some terrific products for mommies and babies.

I thought it'd be fun to host a BIG giveaway of all of the items I'll be discussing on the show. So kick back and read about all these great items, find out where to get them, and find out how one lucky winner can win them ALL!

Sidekick Child Carrier Diaper Bag (gogobabyz.com)

Sidekick is the first and only full-size diaper bag with a built in child carrier. Adjustable strap allows you to carry baby at either hip. Includes spacious compartments and pockets for all of baby's and mom's things, such as cell phone and baby bottle pockets, bottle/snack pouch, changing pad sleeve (w/included changing pad), and more.  

Baby-friendly fabric easily wipes clean.  All in a very stylish, hip design. Multiple colors to choose from. The Sidekick is designed for infants and toddlers up to 35 pounds and between 6 months and 3 years of age. Sidekick retails for $120 and can be purchased online at gogobabyz.com and at retail stores nationwide.

LegRuffles (smittenstyle.com)

Legruffles are a ruffle-themed legwarmer and armwarmer knitted with a beautiful cotton blend yarn giving a soft, flowing feel. Comes in a wide selection of solids and stripes with various trims, including a stylish Vintage Lace and cute Cha-Cha with ball fringe. 

Sizes include "Nubies" for newborns to 6 months, "Regular" for older babies and young children and "Longes" for tweens and adults. Priced between $12.50-$17.50, LegRuffles can be found at smittenstyle.com 

Peekaru Hoodie Togetherbe.com 

Like your favorite hoodie, made for two. The Peekaru Hoodie is cozy soft and fits over you and your baby, keeping you close and warm even as the temperature drops. The Peekaru Hoodie fits over any soft baby carrier, including Baby Bjorn and Ergo, as well as a variety of mei tais, ring slings, and wraps.   

The Peekaru Hoodie is comfortable for temperatures from 45–65 F, and is perfect for everyday outings like a trip to the zoo or an evening sunset walk. When the temperature drops further, bundle up with your own coat over the hoodie and you’ll both stay toasty warm. The Peekaru Hoodie can be worn on your front or your back;  just flip the hood into a chic cowl neck if you decide to wear your baby on your back. 

You can find the Peekaru Hoodie for $64.95 at togetherbe.com  

Baby B'Air Flight Vest babybair.com 

The FAA-approved Baby B'Air Flight Vest is the only safety solution for lap held infants while traveling in an airplane, securing them safely to their parent so that both baby and parent are comfortable and there is no squirming or potential for baby falling. The Baby B'Air is worn by the infant like a vest. 

Constructed of 100% cotton and comfortable to wear for baby, the Baby B'Air is used by simply connecting it to the seat belt of the adult. The baby can then be held, fed and even changed while both parent and child remain securely fastened in their seat. 

Retails for $34.95 at babybair.com

Zach & Chloe Baby Footwear http://zachandchloe.com/ 

Zach & Chloe Baby Footwear lets little ones take their first steps in style, coming in styles like "City High Tops", "Mary Janes", "Ballerinas" and "Oxfords". Zach & Chloe Baby Footwear is as healthy for baby as it is stylish, made of certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes. 

Each pair of Zach & Chloe Baby Footwear has anti-slide soles to stabilize babies' little feet and elastic ankle bands to keep them on. Retail for $4.99 per 2-pair box, zachandchloe.com and at Walgreens stores throughout North America.

Emily Diaper Skin Soother emilyskinsoothers.com 

Emily Diaper Skin Soother is the most natural diaper rash cream on the market as well as the most effective. Made of just 6 ingredients: organic sunflower oil, natural beeswax and 4 natural wildcrafted herbs - frankincense, red peony root, dictamnus root and phellodendron bark. No fragrance, no chemicals, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients of any kind. 

It is designed to soothe and heal any type of diaper rash or irritation, whether caused by heat, fungus, moisture, bacteria or allergen.  

Retails for $14.00 per 1.8 oz jar. Available online at emilyskinsoothers.com or at retailers throughout North America.

BabyBriefcase babybriefcase.com 

BabyBriefcase is a document organizer designed specifically for parents and their babies and toddlers, particularly useful and important for health-related documents. Stylish and charming, the mom-invented BabyBriefcase stores all the documents and information relating to a new baby in a way that makes everything easily accessible whether at a hospital, doctor's office, on vacation or anywhere else. 

Every document that deals with the new baby has a special place for it in the BabyBriefcase so that if an emergency arises, parents don't have to sort through to find what they need.

BabyBriefcase retails for $29.95 and can be purchased online at babybriefcase.com or at retail stores throughout North America.

Giveaway includes:

One (1) Sidekick Child Carrier Diaper Bag
Two (2) Pairs LegRuffles
One (1) Gray Peekaru Hoodie
One (1) Baby B'Air Flight Vest
Three (3) Boxes of Zach & Chloe Baby Footwear
One (1) Jar of Emily Diaper Skin Soother
One (1) BabyBriefcase

To enter to win simply leave a comment by clicking "Post a Comment" below. If you're Anonymous, please be sure to leave an e-mail address where you can be contacted. 

You have until Wednesday, January 25th to enter. I'll be announcing the winner Friday, January 27th. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Good luck!!

For the behind-the-scenes and a clip of the segment, click here.

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